Do you NEED a replacement base pin?

This is a discussion on Do you NEED a replacement base pin? within the Ruger Single Action forums, part of the Pistol & Revolver Forum category; I've owned just one SA Ruger, a stainless Super Blackhawk with the usual 7.5-inch bbl. I liked it, but had to sell the gun while ...

I've owned just one SA Ruger, a stainless Super Blackhawk with the usual 7.5-inch bbl. I liked it, but had to sell the gun while out of work, and had higher priorities when I began replacing guns.

I'm now thinking again about replacing that gun. It had the "issue" base pin. Although the spring release seemed a little weak/mushy, it always held. I fired factory 240 grain Magnum ammo. I do not fire 300 grain and over bullets at high velocity.

Am I likely to need a Belt Mountain base pin? What do they cost? Can one just swap out the parts, or is this a gunsmith job?

Also, how likely is one to have to have the chambers throated in .44 Magnum? I saw no problems with my gun. I see why some .45's would need that service, as Ruger was sloppy when boring the cylinders. What is an average gunsmith fee for getting the throats the right diameter?

Sorry to carp, but I live on a fixed income and it's hard enough to buy the gun, let alone any services on it that I don't need. Plus, I trust (mostly) just one local gunsmith shop, and they're always months behind.

It had the "issue" base pin. Although the spring release seemed a little weak/mushy, it always held....Am I likely to need a Belt Mountain base pin? What do they cost? Can one just swap out the parts, or is this a gunsmith job?

Also, how likely is one to have to have the chambers throated in .44 Magnum? I saw no problems with my gun....I live on a fixed income and it's hard enough to buy the gun, let alone any services on it that I don't need.

I think the best advice is "If it's not broke, don't fix it." You don't need a Belt Mountain base pin unless the you are having a problem with the stock pin in the gun (such as coming out under recoil). Belt Mountain pins are great for fixing problems. If you're not having a problem, it's not required. They cost about $20 plus shipping. You can install them yourself. A gunsmith is not required. You shouldn't need the throats in your .44 Magnum throated unless you are having issues with them firing lead loads. Most of the undersized throats are found in the .45 Colt chambered Rugers. You can measure the throats with pin gauges or calipers to see if they are close to spec. Again, "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

My ruger blackhawk 45 colt circa 1977 has had 70,000 plus rounds out of it and the original basepin is still there. Over 20,000 of those rounds have been the high octane kind ruger blackhawk only or higher loads.

I had to replace my base pin, it kept jumping out under recoil from factory ammo. It is a 44 mag with 5 1/2 barrel. No throat issue. The pin tightened up the cylinder play too, not sure about the actual accuracy effect on it, but no more problems with pin jumpin.